Dry Needling in Ashburn, VA
One of the best treatments on the market today for treating pain and dysfunction is dry needling. It is becoming a very widespread treatment option but not all dry needling treatments are the same and not all of the practitioners out there have the experience that our Physical Therapists do.
We are the most experienced practice in Northern Virginia in the practice of Dry Needling. Dry needling in Virginia requires a written prescription from your doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or chiropractor.
Dry needling is a neurophysiological evidence-based treatment technique that requires effective manual assessment of the neuromuscular system. Physical therapists are well trained to utilize dry needling in conjunction with manual physical therapy interventions. Research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, normalizes biochemical and electrical dysfunction of motor endplates, and facilitates an accelerated return to active rehabilitation.
Dry Needling FAQs
How Treatment is Performed
Your physical therapist will palpate through the muscle tissue in order to identify a trigger point within the muscle. These are identified through palpation of a taut band as well as reproduction of the pain that you are reporting. Once the trigger point is identified, the therapist will insert a small filiform needle through the skin and will move the needle into the trigger point.
What Equipment is Used?
Solid filiform needle of varying lengths depending on the depth of the tissue. Gloves are worn as a precaution and to keep the site sterile.
What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?
Patients usually do not even feel the needle being inserted since it is much smaller than than ones used in any kind of injection or blood test. After the needle is inserted, the therapist will move the needle around which can cause the muscle to twitch. The twitch is brief but uncomfortable. This twitch is a desired response and means the therapist has penetrated a trigger point.
At any point during treatment the patient has the right to tell the treating therapist to stop.
Is it the Same as Acupuncture?
Dry needling is based off western medical principles and research. Acupuncture is primarily based off of Eastern philosophy consisting of acupuncture points, motor points, meridians, chi, etc. Dry needling can fall within the scope of practice for acupuncturists. None of the therapists at AID Performance Physical Therapy are licensed to practice acupuncture.
How Does it Work?
Current research has shown the chemical composition of the painful trigger point is immediately altered after the insertion of the needle. This alteration in composition may decrease the signal to the pain receptors and break the pain cycle.
What are the Side Effects & Risks of Dry Needling
Post-treatment, the patient will experience muscle soreness in the area that was treated for a period of 24-72 hours. Patients may also see some bruising in areas that are highly vascularized. There is a slight risk of pneumothorax in areas over the lungs. However, this is very unlikely to occur due to the size of the needle. A small, uncomplicated pneumothorax may quickly heal on its own and is not considered a medical emergency. Your physical therapist will inform you of the signs and symptoms associatated with a pneumothorax as well as when it is appropriate to seek further medical attention.
What can be treated?
Missagh R. of South Riding says that there is nothing better out there. He had it for both of his shoulder injuries and it got him back on the tennis courts faster than anything else he has tried.
Meg D. of Ashburn Farm says she used to have frequent Migraines and ever since she got dry needling done by AID Performance Physical Therapy 5 years ago she has not had once since.
Matt G. of Ashburn Village said not only has he been helped by dry needling but so has his 14 and 18 y.o. son and daughter. It helped them both of them get back on the football and softball fields after regular therapy was not cutting it in the time frame needed to return to the field for the next big game. Many of my players have also benefited from Dry Needling over the past five years.
American Physical Therapy Association Support Statement
Dry needling is a neurophysiological evidence-based treatment technique that requires effective manual assessment of the neuromuscular system. Physical therapists are well trained to utilize dry needling in conjunction with manual physical therapy interventions. Research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, normalizes biochemical and electrical dysfunction of motor endplates, and facilitates an accelerated return to active rehabilitation.
- Chronic Pain
- Low Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee Pain
- Wrist Pain
- Hand Pain
- Foot Pain
- TMD
- Pelvis Pain
- Tension Type Headaches
- Whiplash Associated Disorders
Would You Like More Information?
Choose Which One Works Best For You...
